My car

I took delivery only 7 days ago (replacing an XK Porfolio). Gorgeous to look at, stunning to drive, super quick but beautiful handling in all conditions, the new 2012 XKR is a gem. Of course it's expensive but worth every penny in my humble opinion. It makes me grin every time I get in it. From the moment of awakening this impecable cat when the ignition button is pressed and the supercharged V8 roars into life, this is a driver's car built for the sheer pleasure of driving at pace in comfort. Jaguar have come so far from the old "Gentleman's Club" on wheels to today's modern understated luxury - brushed aluminium facia, piano black inserts, phosphorous blue glow lighting to the instrument panel and incredibly comfortable seats make this a grand tourer fit to eat up the miles. Breathtaking performance from the 510bhp supercharged V8 but remarkably quiet (apart from that lovely V8 noise) except when drowned out by the wonderful Bowers & Wilkins Hi-Fi. I would also say that the dealer (H A Fox of Guildford) have been brilliant from ordering to handover making the whole experience as much of a pleasure as the car itself. In considering changing my car, I looked at both the Aston Martin Vantage S and the Lotus Evora but the Jaguar XKR beats them on the factors that are important to me in choosing - performance, comfort, handling, quality of finish, standard specification, looks and value for money. And I have driven over 800 miles this week alone - just for the sheer enjoyment.

4.2 XKR Portfolio 2dr

Paul Brown
,
W Yorkshire
.
Date:
18/11/2007

Overall verdict

5
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

5
out of 5 stars

Running costs

5
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

5
out of 5 stars

My car

Having taken delivery of my car 2 weeks ago, I have travelled 1700 miles - mainly just for the sheer pleasure! The performance is breathtaking, handling exceptional and it remains comfortable and quiet (except for the lovely V8 noise and supercharger whine) at all times.

I tried a DB9 and V8 Vantage - both of which looked stunning but were ultimately disappointing (poor quality, unusable day to day). The 6 series BMW was too soulless and the Porsche 911 has never really appealed. I considered a Maserati Granturismo however my local dealer (JCT 600) are somewhat lacking in any form of customer service skills, and I think I am still a bit young for a Bentley (at heart anyway).

Anyway back to the XKR - the interior is a great place to be, superbly made from high quality materials, intuative touch screen controls and a fantastic Hi Fi (Bowers & Wilkins). The dealer I bought the car from have been great (Hatfields of Wakefield) with a superb handover and introduction to all the staff. Running costs are high but to complain about running costs on a car like this would be ridiculous.

There really is nothing else that compares to this car, I thought I might regret not getting the Aston however that has not been the case even once. I will update the report once I have covered a few more miles if I can drag myself out of the car.

4.2 XK 2dr

Nick Pickerill
,
Dorset
.
Date:
13/09/2007

Overall verdict

5
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

5
out of 5 stars

Running costs

4
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

5
out of 5 stars

My car

I have owned this car for four months and, frankly, it would be pedantic to quote my insignificant criticisms.

Basically it is a fabulously built car and a delight to drive. It has so many enjoyable facets - the driving position, the sight of that long bonnet stretching out in front, the sound of the exhausts, the visual feast of design details when walking to or away from it and the simplicity of the touch-screen for every function (absolutely no need to read the manual whatsoever)... I could go on!

To whoever wrote "my father currently has a Porsche 911"... Well, so did I - an 02-registered 911 Carrera 4, and I was disappointed in almost every aspect from the moment I purchased it (I got carried away with the image and associated kudos).

It never satisfied in any area from quality, equipment, or finish - the one exception was the handling, but in that the Jaguar comes very, very close.

4.2 XKR 2dr

Stephen Beverley
Date:
19/07/2007

Overall verdict

5
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

5
out of 5 stars

Running costs

5
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

5
out of 5 stars

My car

I bought the XKR in Lunar Grey last week and it was the best decision I have made in a long time.

I had to chuckle at a previous review: 'Daddy drove a 911' - I traded my Porsche in for the Jaguar, which was not comparable in terms of prestige and comfort in the cabin.

It's the best-looking car on the market and comes highly recommended to anybody.